Ismaila Sarr scores late winner as Crystal Palace deny Ipswich vital point

Ismaila Sarr scored a late winner in Palace’s 1-0 victory at Selhurst Park to deny relegation-battling Ipswich a much-needed point.

England boss Thomas Tuchel paid another visit to the Eagles’ south London home, but it was a far less entertaining encounter than their 4-1 victory over Aston Villa on his last trip.

The contest picked up in the second half, though neither side was able to make the most of their chances.

Just as it looked like the visitors might be able to cling on and share the spoils, Sarr secured all three points for Palace eight minutes from time.

Kieran McKenna made three changes from Ipswich’s 3-2 loss to Manchester United, bringing Luke Woolfenden, Kalvin Phillips and Julio Enciso into his starting XI.

Eddie Nketiah came in for Jean-Philippe Mateta, now in recovery after requiring 25 stitches for the ear laceration he sustained in Palace’s FA Cup fifth-round victory over Millwall, one of four changes for Eagles boss Oliver Glasner.

There was an early chance for Nketiah – set up nicely by Adam Wharton – who found himself through on goal and tried to outsmart Alex Palmer, who was alert to it and denied the former Arsenal striker a quickfire opener.

Dean Henderson was called into action for the first time on Ipswich’s counter-attack, denying Jaden Philogene from near the penalty spot, while Liam Delap skied an effort.

Palace worked the ball to Jefferson Lerma, who fired wide, then won a free-kick from just outside the visitors’ penalty area when Jacob Greaves clattered into the back of Sarr.

It was taken by Eberechi Eze, but blocked by the man who had conceded it.

Graves’ next intervention was even more influential, sliding in with a perfectly-timed sliding tackle to deny Eze, who was one-on-one with